Following a significant increase in program attendance across the system in 2024 and nearly a decade’s worth of public feedback indicating a need for more community space, Thunder Bay Public Library announced today that massive changes will be coming to Waverley Library. Plans focus on the transformation of the lower level of the branch to create an expanded Children’s Library. The Board and executive team envision active play areas for kids alongside spaces for parents and caregivers to socialize while their kids play. The vision also includes more space for children’s books and educational materials as well as a number of programming rooms that can be used for both Library programming and community meetings.
“About 10,000 more kids attended Library programs in 2024 than in 2023,” said Richard Togman, Library CEO. “We have waitlists for most of the programs and we’re straining to meet public demand. We’ve hit all time highs, including pre-pandemic numbers, for our programming across the system. We’ve also had to turn away community groups looking for spaces to host their gatherings, especially children’s groups. Growing to utilize all of Waverley Library will help us meet community demand.”
Togman says this change has only become possible because the lease for renter Anishinabek Employment and Training Services (AETS) has ended and the organization is preparing to vacate its spaces at both Waverley and Brodie Libraries at the end of May. “The end of this lease means a huge opportunity to realize the community’s vision for a Children’s Library,” Togman said, “and it will mean more than doubling the space available on Waverley’s lower level for the children of Thunder Bay.”
Fran Duke, President of the Friends of Thunder Bay Public Library, says their organization is delighted about this move and is pledging the proceeds of the ongoing Friends 50/50 lottery in support of the change. “We can’t imagine a better use for these funds than in support of a new space for children’s programs and books,” she said. “A new Children’s Library will benefit the whole community, and we hope Thunder Bay will be as excited as we are to support this plan by buying tickets for the Friends 50/50.”
